Scratch Resistant vs Shatter Resistant, Explained
MKBHD’s latest video revisits one of the smartphone industry’s most familiar claims, questioning how durability improvements in glass are marketed across product cycles.
Marques Brownlee, known as MKBHD, has released a new video titled “Glass is Glass,” examining how smartphone manufacturers and suppliers present durability improvements from one generation to the next.
The video arrives as major phone makers and glass suppliers continue to promote stronger materials with a mix of claims around scratch resistance and drop durability.
What the Video Is About
At the center of the video is a simple idea: smartphone glass is still glass, even as materials continue to improve.
Brownlee’s perspective aligns with how the industry itself frames modern cover glass.
For example, Corning, the maker of Gorilla Glass, has said that consumers want both improved scratch resistance and better drop performance.
Recent materials like Gorilla Glass Victus 2 have been marketed around surviving drops on rougher surfaces such as concrete.
The Marketing Around Durability
Smartphone manufacturers often emphasize different aspects of durability depending on the product.
Samsung, for example, said the Galaxy S24 Ultra’s Gorilla Armor was Corning’s “most scratch-resistant” cover material at launch.
At the same time, Corning has highlighted improvements in drop resistance across other generations of its glass.
Together, these claims reflect a broader pattern in how durability is presented to consumers, something Brownlee’s video directly explores.
Why It Stands Out
The video is notable because durability has become one of the most visible aspects of flagship smartphone marketing.
According to Corning, Gorilla Glass has been used in more than 8 billion devices across over 45 brands, making it a central part of how smartphones are compared and sold.
Rather than focusing on a single device, Brownlee’s video takes a step back to examine the broader conversation around materials and marketing.
The Bigger Picture
For viewers, “Glass is Glass” feels less like a traditional product review and more like an industry-level analysis.
It highlights a familiar reality: while materials continue to improve, the fundamental trade-offs between scratch resistance and shatter resistance still exist.
As new devices launch with promises of stronger glass, that balance remains a key part of the conversation around smartphone durability.